Main Rivals

Canon have just launched their slimmest ever compact camera, the new Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS (also called the PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH). In addition to offering a slim and stylish design, the Canon IXUS 120 also offers a wide-angle 4x zoom lens, 12 megapixels and 720p HD video. Available in a variety of colours for around £299.00 / €349.00 / $299.99, read our in-depth review of the slimline Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS.

The Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR is potentially one of the most revolutionary cameras of 2009. It features Fujifilm's innocuous sounding EXR technology, which rather cleverly turns the Fuji F200 into three cameras in one. The first EXR mode shoots a high-res 12 megapixel picture, the second takes a 6 megapixel photo with less noise, and the third combines two 6 megapixel images taken at different exposures to capture more dynamic range. Does Fujifilm's brave attempt to concentrate on image quality rather than more megapixels pay off? Carry on reading our detailed review to find out...

Frustrated with missing the moment as your camera struggles to keep up with your fast-moving children? Then Nikon may have the answer in the new S640, a small compact camera that boasts DSLR-like focusing and start-up speeds. The Nikon S640 promises to banish those blurry shots forever, whilst also offering 12 megapixels of resolution, a 2.7 inch LCD screen with clearer colours, and a top ISO speed of 6400. The Nikon Coolpix S640 is available in black or silver for $249.95 / £239 / €269. Mark Goldstein tried to keep up with it in our Nikon S640 review...

The new Olympus FE-5020 is an affordable yet stylish entry-level compact digital camera, with an intriguing 24mm, 5x wide-angle zoom lens that matches recent cameras from the likes of Panasonic and Casio. A range of so-called Magic Filters are available to instantly jazz up your photos, whilst the Olympus 5020 also features a 2.7 inch LCD screen, hand-holding i-Auto mode for beginners, and a 12 megapixel sensor. Gavin Stoker discovers if the Olympus FE5020 is worth its £169 / $160 price-tag...

The Panasonic DMC-FX40 (also known as the DMC-FX48) is a small, slim and stylish 12 megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens. The FX40 features a 25mm, 5x Leica lens offering a focal range of 25-125mm and F2.8 brightness. Other standout highlights of the Panasonic FX40 include Face Recognition, Venus Engine V processing engine, Panorama Assist mode, and 350 shot battery life. Available in black, red or silver for £259 / $349.95, Gavin Stoker discovered if the Panasonic FX40 / FX48 is worth considering.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 is a small, stylish and svelte pocket camera with a twist - it delivers excellent image quality in almost any situation. With Sony's new Exmor-R sensor at its heart, the TX1 takes great pictures in all lighting conditions, and thanks to its amazing 10fps burst mode, it can keep up with the action too. Other key features include touch-sensitive operation via the 3 inch LCD screen, innovative Sweep Panorama mode, a 4x zoom lens and ISO range of 100-3200. We find out if the Sony TX1 strikes the right balance between form and function in our latest expert review.